NFL notes: Broncos' D.J. Williams suspended for three more games

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The Denver Broncos will be without linebacker D.J. Williams until mid-November after the NFL added three games to his suspension Friday.

Williams was punished for violating the league's substance abuse policy following his conviction in August of driving while ability impaired.

He already was serving a six-game suspension to start the season for violating the league's banned-substances policy  such as performance-enhancing drugs  after the NFL said he supplied a "non-human" urine sample during a drug test.

Williams, the team's leading tackler in four of the last five seasons, won't be eligible to return to the Broncos until Nov. 12.

He was originally slated to return in time for the game against New Orleans on Oct. 28, but will now miss that game and road contests at Cincinnati and Carolina, too.

The Broncos were flying to New England for their game against the Patriots when the new suspension was handed down. Wesley Woodyard and Keith Brooking have shared snaps at weakside linebacker in Williams' absence. Williams met with Commissioner Roger Goodell in New York last month in hopes of avoiding further punishment from the league following his DUI conviction, a case that stemmed from an arrest nearly two years ago.

Rams' Jackson can void deal

St. Louis Rams running Steven Jackson can void the final year of his contract after this season in a compromise after talks fell through on a long-term extension. The running back confirmed terms of the deal to the Associated Press on Friday.

"In 2008 they extended me and at the end of the season we'll see what happens with me,"Jackson said. "But something is happening here and I want to be a part of it."

The three-time Pro Bowler is the franchise's career leading rusher and the senior Ram after getting drafted in the first round in 2004. The Rams signed two other core players, defensive end Chris Long and middle linebacker James Laurinaitis, to long-term extensions earlier this summer. Jackson has seven straight 1,000-yard seasons, the longest active streak in the NFL. He's making $7 million this season and would make $7 million in 2013, too, and must notify the team by early February if he wants to void the deal.

League levies fines

Linebackers Chad Greenway of Minnesota and Brandon Spikes of New England were fined $21,000 by the NFL on Friday for unnecessary roughness in games last weekend. Greenway struck Lions receiver Calvin Johnson in the head and neck area in last Sunday's victory over Detroit. He apologized to Johnson afterward. Spikes used an illegal blindside block during an interception return, hitting Bills tight end Scott Chandler, who left the game with a head injury. 

Week 5 schedule

Thursday's game

St. Louis 17, Arizona 3

Sunday's games

Baltimore at Kansas City, 11 a.m., Ch. 2

Atlanta at Washington, 11 a.m.

Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 11 a.m.

Green Bay at Indianapolis, 11 a.m., Ch. 13

Cleveland at N.Y. Giants, 11 a.m.

Miami at Cincinnati, 11 a.m.

Seattle at Carolina, 2:05 p.m.

Chicago at Jacksonville, 2:05 p.m.

Buffalo at San Francisco, 2:25 p.m.

Tennessee at Minnesota, 2:25 p.m.

Denver at New England, 2:25 p.m., Ch. 2

San Diego at New Orleans, 6:20 p.m., Ch. 5

Open: Dallas, Detroit, Oakland, Tampa Bay

Monday's game

Houston at N.Y. Jets, 6:30 p.m., ESPN

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